Golf par excellence at Mt Maunganui retreat

By SUE HOFFART*

We had it all planned. We'd arrive, unload bags, spend a few minutes being polite, then skive off for an early dinner. What we hadn't counted on was the conviviality of our hosts, the allure of Paula's tomato pesto or the fabulously mind-numbing effects of a glass of red wine sipped on a terrace overlooking tropical gardens.

We did make it to the Thai restaurant but wished we hadn't. We longed to be back on our private balcony at Puerta del Sol with some more of that wine.

Apparently this unwillingness to leave the world behind the high, adobe-like walls is quite common. When a bigwig from the America's Cup Alinghi team flew his family by helicopter from Auckland a few weeks before our stay, they quickly abandoned their planned activities in favour of lounging by the pool and unwinding in the lounge.

The Mexican ranch-style retreat is just that sort of place. Secluded and seductive, it is as laidback as it is luxurious.

Entry is by way of a moat-like inner courtyard, with fountains and coloured tiles. A heavy timber door opens into large, high-ceilinged rooms with wooden beams and a stone and tile staircase leading to the rooms.

There's a long wooden dining table, a cavernous fireplace, an espresso machine on the kitchen counter and a library full of mementoes from Ross' wilder, younger days as a professional racing driver.

Paula's artistic and interior-design talents are evident on the walls, as well as in the furnishings, and in her meals. Paula and Ross Greenville are a relaxed, accommodating couple who have refined the art of good hosting in their six years as owner-operators. They tell us 85 per cent of the people who enter their "gateway to the sun" (the translation for Puerta del Sol) are overseas visitors.

The exotic name was apparently a major drawcard for the English couple who are fellow guests. At breakfast, we discover the middle-aged pair are keen golfers who work in Gibraltar, live in Spain and have a son who lives on Waiheke Island.

Much as we like the name, we are more impressed with our proximity to the beach (there's a 22km stretch of white sand a few minutes' walk away) and Mt Maunganui Golf Course. A shed at the foot of the garden houses the Greenvilles' electric golf cart and opens directly on to the ninth green.

A visiting masseuse offers outdoor massages within the stunning walled garden, with its handsome pool, private nooks, wine cellar and healthy cacti and cycads.

Upstairs, our spacious suite also faces Mount Maunganui's best-kept lawns and includes an ensuite with lovely Hinuera stone tiled floors and shower stall. Doors open on to a private balcony, though the high walls and extra screening don't spoil the views.

A small white platter near the door contains grapes, a scattering of strawberries and four chocolate hearts. Just the thing to eclipse the taste of a Thai meal before relaxing on the sumptuous bed linens that adorn our king-sized, comfortable bed.

* Sue Hoffart was a guest of Puerta del Sol.

Where to find it:

Ross and Paula Greenville

Puerta del Sol golfing retreat

214 Oceanbeach Rd, Mt Maunganui.

Ph (07) 575-8665

fax (07) 575-8695

email: stay@puertadelsol.co.nz

What it costs:

$430 a suite Oct 1-March 31 or $330 a suite off-season. Rate includes continental breakfast, GST, Tauranga Airport transfers and use of the golf cart. Guests can borrow a set of clubs (men's and womens' available). There are phones in the room and local calls are free.

Getting there:


From Tauranga Harbour Bridge, travel the length of Hewletts Rd and cross Maunganui Rd into Golf Rd. At the end of Golf Rd, turn right and Puerta del Sol is on the right hand side. Downtown Tauranga and Mt Maunganui are each about a 10-minute drive away. Tauranga Airport is five minutes away, Auckland is 2 and a half hours, Rotorua is an hour and Taupo is two hours.

Access:


All the bedrooms are upstairs and are inaccessible by wheelchair. Children can be catered for - there's a rollaway bed and a portacot - but only when they have exclusive bookings.

Smoking: Outside only.

Food:


The continental breakfast, which is included in the tariff, is generous enough to stonker most appetites. However, big eaters can have a cooked meal of their choice for an extra $18 each. Our morning fare included fresh fruit salad served in tall glasses, with individual servings of organic honey, yoghurt and a choice of three cereals, whole grain toast, a choice of half a dozen preserves and a couple of tuatua fritters accompanied by grilled fresh limes. There's a good tea selection and excellent coffee from the espresso machine.

Paula is a keen foodie and she is happy to do dinners by arrangement, for $65 a person. The evening meal is generally centred around the Greenvilles' outdoor barbecue and may include fillets of aged beef, chicken tenderloin, Mediterranean vegetables, breads, salads and desserts.

Comment:


The garden is stunning and has a spa pool as well as a swimming pool. At night, the lighting is gorgeous, especially the line of oversized, almost-gothic candles that glow in the stairwell.

Local information:


Mt Maunganui Information Centre is on Salisbury Ave, ph (07) 575-5099.